At the 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters, two names grabbed headlines in the most unexpected way. Out of 32 seeds, two unseeded players (and cousins) Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot, stunned the field with incredible runs all the way to the final. In the end, it was Rinderknech who came out on top, rallying for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory to capture the title and announce his comeback in style. But just when fans were ready to see him back in action, Rinderknech shocked everyone by pulling out mere hours before his first-round match. Why, you ask?

A few hours ago, journalist Quentin Moynet took to X to share a screenshot of Arthur Rinderknech’s Instagram story, where the Frenchman opened up about his decision. “With my team, the decision was made to withdraw from the Basel tournament,” he wrote in French. “It was a difficult but necessary choice, listening to your body is important [fatigue].” After his remarkable run in Shanghai, Rinderknech’s withdrawal may come as a disappointment, but it’s clear he’s prioritizing recovery before stepping back on court.

And in case you don’t remember, while Valentin Vacherot celebrated his breakthrough moment, his cousin didn’t have it so easy. After the Shanghai final, the 30-year-old was seen lying flat on the court in agony from severe cramps as Vacherot delivered his victory speech on the other side. Earlier in the match, Rinderknech had already needed assistance courtside as he battled through the pain. For the 30-year-old, staying healthy is key, and given the relentless ATP schedule, that’s easier said than done.

Still, Rinderknech made sure to thank the organizers for understanding his last-minute withdrawal. “I thank the organizers of the Swiss Indoors tournament for their understanding. See you next year,” he shared in his statement. But who was he supposed to compete against?

On Tuesday, Artur Rinderknech was scheduled to open his Swiss Indoors campaign against qualifier Raphael Collignon. However, just hours before stepping on court, he officially pulled out of the tournament. Following his withdrawal, Collignon now advances to face lucky loser Valentin Royer in the first round, with the winner moving on to play either ninth seed Denis Shapovalov or Marcos Giron.

Fortunately for Arthur Rinderknech, the withdrawal won’t affect his ATP ranking. He had no points to defend in Basel, as he fell in the first round of qualifying during last year’s event. For now, his focus shifts to rest and recovery, ensuring that when he does return, he’s ready to perform at full strength once again. And let’s not forget he’s hardly the only player to pull out of tournaments due to injury.

Carlos Alcaraz pays the price for injury with a massive bonus loss

After his Japan Open triumph, Carlos Alcaraz walked away with a solid paycheck of $416,365. But that win might not be enough to offset the financial hit he’s about to take after pulling out of the Shanghai Masters. Right after lifting the trophy in Tokyo, the world No. 1 confirmed that he wouldn’t be heading to Shanghai this time, citing the ankle injury he suffered early in the Japan Open as the reason for his withdrawal.

The decision puts Alcaraz in a tough spot financially. Unlike Arthur Rinderknech, who faced no ranking or monetary loss after pulling out of Basel, Alcaraz’s choice could have major implications for his year-end earnings. According to tennis insider José Morón, skipping Shanghai will likely cost him a hefty chunk of his 2025 prize pool (about $1 million) due to how the ATP’s bonus structure works.

Each season, the ATP distributes a $21 million bonus pool among the top 30 players who accumulate the most points across the nine Masters 1000 tournaments and the ATP Finals. Players must participate in these events to qualify for the full payout. Alcaraz, who was leading the standings and on track for a $4.5 million bonus at year’s end, now faces a significant deduction. Under ATP rules, missing a Masters 1000 event cuts a player’s bonus by 25% per tournament, meaning Alcaraz’s Shanghai withdrawal wipes out roughly $1,125,000 from that total.

Still, there’s a silver lining for the Spaniard. Despite this setback, Alcaraz remains the highest earner on tour in 2025, maintaining a comfortable lead ahead of his rival, Jannik Sinner. For now, that cushion keeps him safely on top, but as the season winds down, the Italian could start to close the gap.

That said, could Arthur Rinderknech’s shocking withdrawal hint at deeper struggles behind his sudden rise to the spotlight? What do you think?